South Winn’s Morgan Kleve, Avery Luzum and Hailey Riehle celebrated the regional semifinal win over Wapsie Valley. (Photo courtesy of Kali Kleve)
They are still going.
The South Winn softball team has had just enough offense to get the job done during its run in Class 2A softball tournament action, edging No. 13 Osage and No. 15 Wapsie Valley last week to keep the 2023 season alive.
The Warriors played Lisbon on the Lions’ home diamond Monday in the regional final for the chance to go to state.
Comeback prevented
The Warriors held off a late comeback from the Osage Green Devils (25-9), taking an 8-7 victory Wednesday to open the postseason.
The game started with South Winn jumping out to an early 1-0 lead at the top of the first inning. Following a scoreless second inning, the Warriors extended their lead to three runs at the top of the third inning. Osage drove in their first two runs of the game at the bottom of the third inning, making the score 3-2. The Warriors once again extended their lead to three runs at the top of the fourth inning. In the fifth inning, both teams crossed the plate twice, making the score 7-4. At the top of the sixth inning, South Winn extended their lead by a single run, giving the Warriors a four-run lead to start the seventh inning. The Warriors failed to score at the top of the seventh inning, but they still held a four-run lead going into the seventh inning. The Green Devils nearly came back at the bottom of the seventh inning but fell just one run short of taking the game into extra innings.
Senior pitcher Morgan Kleve of South Winn was awarded the victory after pitching all seven innings. On offense, the Warriors were led by senior third baseman Morgan Kriener, who had three base hits in three at-bats.
SW 1 0 2 2 2 1 0 8 11
Osage 0 0 2 0 2 0 3 7 8
Morgan Kleve (WP) – 7IP, 7R, 8H, 4BB, 5K
2B – Abby Wagner 2; Ali Heying 1; 1B – Morgan Kriener 3; Britney Hageman 1; Kleve 1; Adrienne Winings 1; Avery Humpal 1; Avery Luzum 1; RBI – Kriener 2; Hageman 2; Humpal 2; Heying 1; SB – Kriener 2
Another close one
It was another nail-biter Friday for the Warriors as South Winn visited the Wapsie Valley Warriors (22-8) in round three with the Red and White winning, 5-4.
The first run of the game was scored by Wapsie Valley at the bottom of the first inning. After a scoreless second inning, South Winn tied the game at the top of the third inning. In the fourth inning, both teams added a single to the scoreboard, making the score 2-2. At the bottom of the fifth inning, WV reclaimed their lead, crossing the plate twice to take a 4-2 lead.
However, South Winn would once again even the score, driving in two runs at the top of the sixth inning. Going into the seventh inning, the score was 4-4, with a spot in the next round of the playoffs on the line. At the top of the seventh inning, South Winn scored one run, which was enough to take the lead going into the last half-inning of the game. Wapsie Valley was unable to score, securing the victory for South Winn.
On offense, South Winn was led by sophomore center fielder Abby Wagner, who registered two hits, including a double, and a walk. As far as pitching goes, senior pitcher Morgan Kleve earned her second consecutive playoff win after striking out five batters.
SW 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 5 6 2
WV 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 4 6 2
Kleve (WP) – 7IP, 4R, 6H, 1BB, 5K
2B – Wagner 1; Kriener 1; 1B – Wagner 1; Kriener 1; Ella Willey 1; Luzum 1; RBI – Kriener 3; E. Willey 1; SB – Winings 1
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